Member Update - 24 October 2022

Monday 24 October 2022

Firstly and most importantly, Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the festival.

What a day for politics, again. Deja vu aside, we now know our new Prime Minister will be Rishi Sunak, who has today become the new leader of the Conservative Party Minister after Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson dropped out of the leadership race.
Rishi Sunak gave his first statement this afternoon. He opened by paying tribute to Liz Truss, then continued to say he is humbled and honoured to be elected and to have the support of his fellow MPs to be elected leader. He acknowledged that the UK faces "profound" economic challenges and called for stability and unity. I look forward to hearing his policies and what steps he will take to support the economic crisis, and we will continue our plight to reduce business taxation.

Today also sees the official opening of the Bond Street Elizabeth Line station, which completes the central section of the line. Bond Street is positioned to be the 'jewel in the crown' of the West End’s transport provision. It is great to see the Elizabeth Line moving closer to being a completed line, with the West End section open for the festive period. We look forward to visiting the station following the successful opening of Tottenham Court Road.

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing our draft document of the conceptual plans for how we can make Fitzrovia a more sustainable destination through some long-term public realm adjustments. The plan was put together by Placemaking London, Arup and ourselves. Following feedback from our Board, we will be launching the document publicly at our event on 16 November at the new Arup offices on Charlotte Street. If you would like to come along, please sign up here.

Christmas is fast approaching and you may see some lighting installations arriving over the next couple of weeks. Mick was out late last week with The Festive Lighting Company to sign off the lamp posts for use. We are pleased to be finally going back to a full display this year and will have a feature piece in both Whitfield Gardens and the new Alfred Place park. Let's make this year a merry merry Christmas!
To see how you can participate, please see the options available to your business. The team will officially launch Fitzmas next week which will have ideas on where to eat, drink, shop, stay, pamper, play.

If you have any queries on the above, please drop me an email.

Stay well,

Lee Lyons, Chief Operating Officer
lee.lyons@fitzroviapartnership.com

Contacts for any local emergencies
Lee: 07540 203865
Rudi: 07740 545925

Street wardens
Wardens: 07958 171656 / 07704 780712

Bond Street Elizabeth Line opens today

The new Bond Street station on the Elizabeth Line opens today Monday 24 October. As well as interconnecting with other lines at Bond Street and the station entrance onto Oxford Street, the station has two new entrances, at Davies Street near Oxford Street and Hanover Square near Regent Street. The station will be a gateway to the West End just in time for Black Friday and the festive period.
Read more

November rail strikes

RMT union strikes are currently still going ahead, due to the ongoing dispute on pay and conditions.

Thursday 3 November
Network Rail, London underground (tube), London overground

Saturday 5 November
Network Rail

Monday 7 November
Network Rail

NEW Transport strikes (minimum levels of service) bill

The government has announced a bill that paves the way for the introduction of minimum levels of service on transport services. The bill will ensure that transport services such as rail, tubes and buses, will not completely shut down when unions impose strikes. This bill will balance the right to strike with ensuring commuters can get to their place of work and people can continue to make vital journeys during strikes.
Read more

Boost your immunity this winter

Get your flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines to top up your immunity for this winter. There continues to be high rates of Covid-19 infections with hospitalisations, and cases of flu have climbed quickly in the past week, indicating that the season has started earlier than normal. Vaccines are the best defence against both viruses and will help reduce the amount of people requiring hospital treatment, reducing pressure on the NHS.
Book your vaccines

Have your say

Have your say on Camden's Evening and Night Time

Camden Council is developing a strategy for local evening and night time, and want to know what matters to businesses and organisations, residents, visitors and night workers. Please share your thoughts. They're also looking for people who want to help shape the final strategy at a Citizens' Assembly from February next year.
Have your say

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
Emergency First Aid training

24 November 2022, 9am - 3pm
Yunus Emre Institute, 10 Maple Street

This one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course is an Accredited First Aid Course. This course helps you meet the requirements set out in the Health and Safety Regulations of 1981.
This course is a great introduction to First Aid training. Learners will leave with the confidence to deal with emergency life-threatening situations in a competent way. Our instructors are experts from the Emergency Services who have ‘been there and done it for real’.

What You Will Learn
•   Role of a First Aider
•   Priorities of First Aid
•   Managing an Incident
•   Causes & Care of the Unconscious Casualty
•   Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
•   Bleeding & Shock
•   Choking
•   Burns & Scalds
•   Anaphylaxis
•   Manage the Transportation of a Casualty
•   Record Keeping & Accident Reporting
•   Practical Demonstration & Use of an AED

[Limited to 2 Attendees per Business]
Book a place

New employment law comes into effect for new parents

A new government-backed law will offer pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy, through an extended period of protection, from time of pregnancy until 18 months after the birth. This redundancy protection also covers all new parents returning to work from a relevant form of leave. This will offer new parents greater job security at an important time in their lives.
Read more

The latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers

The October edition of HMRC updates for employers and payroll professionals includes:

the reduction in the rate of National Insurance contributions
making PAYE Settlement Agreement payments and using the PSA1 online form
the new starter checklist interactive guidance
Making Tax Digital returns and changes to VAT penalties and interest charges
the Government Information and Advice Service

Read the latest update

Fill in the Fitzrovia Public realm survey

Be a part of the discussion to change and improve the streets, squares and green spaces of Fitzrovia.

Do you want to see more trees and greenery? Or want to see more cleaning of pavements? Do you want more or better signage around the area? We've teamed up with Arup to help design and implement real improvements to Fitzrovia, to make it a cleaner, greener and more desirable place to work, live and visit.

Complete the quick survey

Register your interest

The Mayor's article on the Business Climate Challenge

Read the Mayor's full statement

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Join the Business Climate Challenge

The Fitzrovia Partnership is inviting businesses to apply to be part this fantastic opportunity to reduce your energy consumption, costs and carbon emissions. There is no obligation to commit to changing any suggestions made.

We are looking for participants who have influence over workplace decisions - owners, owner-occupiers, building managers, tenants and multi-tenants

On the programme you'll:

Reduce your energy consumption with expert support from Bloomberg associates
Personalised energy audit report
Actionable solutions
Your only commitment is reducing your workplace energy consumption by at least 10% in a year.
Recognition as a pioneering climate action business
Gain access to a network of like-minded businesses

Please email sustainability@fitzroviapartnership.com to start reducing your energy consumption.